A popular ice cream man is hanging up his scoop after 40 years in the business.

Barry Layen is retiring after 40 years as an ice cream man Picture: Leanne Mather

Barry Layen, of Gorleston, started out in 1978 in a Mister Softee van, before starting Barry’s Soft Ices in 1992.

For 50 weeks a year Mr Layen, who will turn 65 at the end of the month, completed his round in the Gorleston, Belton and Bradwell area, making many friends along the way.

Mr Layen said: “It’s been good. I get on well with people and most of them get on with me.

“I think interacting with people has been the best part. You know with your regulars what is going on and it is quite nice to feel part of the community. I might miss that a bit, but I’m sure I will see a lot of them around town.

Barry Layen is retiring after 40 years as an ice cream man Picture: Leanne Mather

“I got quite a few retirement cards and one family even had a plaque made saying ‘world’s best ice cream man, happy retiremen.”

Over the years, the industry and the faces have changed, but the most popular ice cream has remained the same, according to Mr Layen.

He said: “It has changed a lot. Way back in 1978 when I started not many people had a freezer in the house, so you would buy ice lollies daily.

“Then supermarkets started springing up and you started getting multi-packs and discount this, discount that, which knocked it down a bit. But I’m now serving the children of children from back then.